Early October
netherworld stars hemorrhage
pink across atmospheres weak
with evening. it is still here,
like the moments after
an earthquake when everything
becomes fluid again, and we
stumble, bright-eyed, out of
doorframes. a permeating
peppermint c hill seeps, slow,
into our marrow. hypnotic:
the reverent quiet draws
me to the center of the street,
tar scratching my soles. i stand
in evanescent light of eons fading
pinprick by pinprick with the feeling
i'm going to be hit.